title: Squamous cell carcinoma with vascular invasion in a diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus).
abstract: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common neoplasm diagnosed in domestic and wild animals, including several species of reptiles. However, reports of SCC invading vasculature or metastasizing in snakes are lacking. This report documents a case of SCC in an adult male eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus) with a unique presentation and invasion into several small- to medium-sized vessels, suggestive of a metastatic process. What was initially suspected to be an abscessed tail was ultimately determined to be SCC originating at the base of the rattle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606, USA. craig_harms@ncsu.edu
authors.forename: Eric T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kennedy-Stoskopf
authors.forename: Jeanine R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sandy
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.forename: Trent
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Boyette
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Harms
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D017839:Crotalus; D008297:Male; D013623:Tail / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery